A few manufacturers are developing wireless handheld monitors that provide homeowners with a familiar interface to help them manage their generators. Future innovations may include Web interfaces so homeowners can access their generators from anywhere and to enable generators to send e-mail notifications when maintenance is required.
Clean power has become a more important feature as well, because sensitive electronic equipment like computers and plasma televisions require a relatively pure electrical sine wave with little harmonic distortion—or spikes—that can damage them, according to Dan Meikle, director of Cummins Power Generation’s residential and portable business. Most manufacturers have reduced the amount of harmonic distortion in the electricity produced by their generators to provide power that matches or is closer to utility quality.
Though most power outages are brief, longer lapses can cause costly damage. For homeowners, living through the insurance nightmare of getting damages repaired is usually worse than the power outage itself, points out custom builder Scott Hobbs of Hobbs Inc. in New Canaan, Conn. “For the expense of one insurance deductible, our clients can install some minimal protection” in the form of a low-kilowatt standby generator, he says. Over the years, generators have gone from being the exception in his homes to being the rule.
Briggs & Stratton The IntelliGen generator’s controls automatically turn designated circuits on and off to manage whole-house power consumption without overloading the 15kW unit. Because of this feature, the manufacturer says the IntelliGen can manage the same number of items as a 25kW unit. A wireless LCD monitor allows the homeowner to configure the system remotely. 800.732.2989. www.homegeneratorsystems.com
Coleman The 25kW PM4025 PowerStation features a 16-gauge steel enclosure, vertical air discharge, and lockable doors with sound baffles to help reduce noise to an average of 66 decibels. A digital remote start/stop controller provides accurate monitoring, display, and protection. Metering systems help manage operation. 800.445.1805. www.colemanpowermate.com
Generac Power Systems The 16kW Guardian QuietSource is designed to provide enough power to start one 5-ton air conditioner or two 4-ton air conditioners and power 16 circuits in the home. Its Whisper-Test feature reduces operating noise by 50 percent during weekly self-testing cycles. The unit comes pre-packaged with a 100-amp automatic transfer switch with load center and other installation components. 800.333.1322. www.guardiangenerators.com
Kohler Power Systems The Kohler 30RES 30kW standby generator features a sound enclosure designed to reduce noise levels to 68 decibels. The system’s Advanced Digital Control is integrated into the enclosure’s interior and provides precise voltage and frequency regulation. Its LED display shows runtime hours, crank cycle status, and diagnostics and communicates 11 different fault codes. The controller’s membrane keypad provides password-protected user access to menus and allows system configuration. 800.544.2444. www.kohlerpowersystems.com